BELLWORK• What is the Torah?

• Describe the religion of the Israelites and what they believe.

• What are the Ten Commandments?

• What is King David known for?

• What did the Chaldeans do to the Jews living in Jerusalem?

• THINKER: What is a democracy? (HINT: The U.S. government is a democracy)

Greece• The Greeks took over the Mediterranean region

and contributed greatly to the way we live today.

• Ancient Greece included the southern part of Europe’s Balkan Peninsula and islands in the Aegean Sea.

• Greece’s mountain ranges protected against invaders but also limited communication.

• Greece is surrounded by sea, which encouraged the Greeks to become traders, and expand their empire.

Greek Civilization• Originated in Minoan and Mycenaean

civilizations between 3000BC to 1000BC.

• Early on, they developed legends of gods and heroes.

• Homer – Iliad & The Odyssey

• Main themes throughout Greek civilization: bravery, honor, dignity, and the love of beauty.

• In religion, the Greeks worshiped gods and goddesses

The Polis• Polis, or city-state, emerged as the political unit

of Greek civilization.

• A Polis included a city and surrounding villages and fields.

• Citizens within a polis government could vote, hold public office, own property, and speak for themselves in court.

• In return, they were expected to defend the polis in time of war.

• Greek women had no political or legal rights.

Greek Government• By the 700s BC, Kings were losing their powers

and being challenged by lower classes.

• As unrest increased, tyrannies arose in the city-states. (Tyrant: one man who seized power and ruled the polis on his own)

• Tyrants ruled until 500BC until city-states became either:

• Oligarchy: rule by a few wealthy people

• Democracy: government and rule by the citizens

Greek Government• The two major city-states of ancient Greece

were Sparta and Athens.

• Sparta– Located in the Peloponnesus peninsula– Warlike society, used its army for control

• Athens– Located on the Attica peninsula– Freer society known for artistic/intellectual

achievements– Created a constitution, or plan of government, that

stated all men were equal regardless of social class

The Persian Wars• In 490 BC, Persian forces landed near Athens.

• The Greeks were outnumbered, but staged a surprise attack and defeated the Persians!

• Ten years later, the Persians returned to Greece.

• About 7,000 Spartans fought the Persians for three days at Thermopylae.

• Then, the Greek navy destroyed the entire Persian fleet.

The Peloponnesian War

• War between Sparta and Athens that lasted from 431BC to 404BC.

• Sparta allied with the Persians

• A plague struck Athens and killed 1/3 of their population

• Persian-financed Spartan navy destroyed Athens fleet.

• Athenians surrendered